Prince William County Prostitution Lawyer

Being charged with a prostitution crime can be incredibly difficult. You may be worried about how such a charge might affect your reputation and your criminal record. During this difficult time, a compassionate Prince William County prostitution lawyer can help advocate for your legal rights.

Consult a Prince William County Prostitution Attorney

If you have been accused of prostitution, solicitation or a prostitution-related crime, a prostitution attorney in Prince William County can examine your case and determine whether there are any valid defenses to the charge against you. For instance, if you were charged with solicitation after a police sting and the operation involved illegal police entrapment, the charges could potentially be dismissed.

More common defenses that may be employed by a skilled defense lawyer include:

Arguing that certain actions that allegedly took place do not fit the legal definitions set forth in statute

Demonstrating that no goods or services were intentionally exchanged

Proving that certain evidence was gathered illegally and must thereby be declared inadmissible

The best way to learn how an attorney can help you is to call a Prince William County prostitution lawyer at our firm and speak with him or her about your case. Your initial no-commitment consultation is free.

Prostitution Penalties in Virginia

Under Virginia Code 18.2-346, prostitution, or commercial sexual conduct, and the crime of solicitation, or offering prostitution services, are treated the same. Both are considered Class 1 misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail and/or up to $2,500 in fines.

Soliciting or engaging in prostitution with a minor – called commercial exploitation of a minor – carries harsher penalties. When the minor is 16 or older, the offense is considered a Class 6 felony, and if the minor is younger than 16, the offense is a class 5 felony. Class 6 felonies carry a prison sentence of between one and five years and class 5 felonies carry a prison sentence of between one to ten years. Both felonies also allow a fine of up to $2500.

Prostitution and Solicitation Offenses in Prince William County

Prostitution involves performing sex acts, including intercourse, anal sex, or oral sex, in exchange for money or its equivalent. Sex acts performed both “upon” and “by” another person can be considered prostitution if money is exchanged or offered. It does not matter whether the party charged with prostitution was “giving” or “receiving” the sex act.

A person can also be charged with prostitution for soliciting or engaging in criminal sexual acts, such as bestiality or incest, in exchange for money, in addition to the charge for the criminal sexual act itself.

You can also be charged with solicitation of prostitution whether or not any sex act took place. Simply the offer of sex for the exchange of something of value is considered solicitation.

Pimping and Compulsion of Prostitution

Causing or forcing someone to engage in prostitution or solicitation is also a crime in Virginia, carrying even harsher penalties than the prostitution itself. Prostitution-related offenses such as these are considered Class 4 felonies in Virginia, carrying a penalty of two to ten years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. Receiving money from the proceeds of prostitution and owning a commercial venue that you knowingly allow to be used for the purpose of prostitution activities are also prostitution-related crimes.

Contacting A Prince William Prostitution Attorney

Prostitution charges can have devastating consequences for your life, career, education, and relationships. You will need an experienced Prince William County prostitution lawyer by your side throughout the legal process. Call today to set up a free consultation and learn what benefits an experienced Prince William County prostitution lawyer can provide to your case.